Authority: Calcutta High Court (Bench of Justice Partha Sarathi Sen)
Order Date: 15 Oct 2026
Case Overview
- Petitioner: Goutam Singha, contractual Gold Appraiser employed by No.3 Co‑operative Bank since 28 May 2012.
- Respondents: State of West Bengal and its instrumentalities, including No.3 Co‑operative Bank (respondent No.3) and the General Manager of the bank (respondent No.5).
- Dispute stems from a termination letter dated 30 November 2024 issued by respondent No.5, allegedly on instruction of the Additional Chief Secretary, Cooperation Department, Government of West Bengal.
- Petitioner argued termination breached Chapter 12, Clause 29(iii) of the Bank’s Service Rules, which mandates a seven‑day notice or payment of seven days’ remuneration for temporary staff, and that the instruction came from an authority that is not the appointing authority.
- No evidence was presented that the bank complied with Rule 29 prior to termination, nor that principles of natural justice were observed.
- Respondent No.3 failed to appear or file an affidavit‑in‑opposition despite multiple opportunities; respondent No.5 was identified as the appointing authority but acted under instruction of the Additional Chief Secretary, who is not the appointing authority.
Final Outcome
- The Court held the termination letter dated 30‑Nov‑2024 to be illegal and set it aside.
- The respondent No.5 authority was directed to reinstate Goutam Singha in No.3 Co‑operative Bank with immediate effect.
- The writ petition was disposed of in favour of the petitioner.
Topics: Employment Law, Cooperative Banking, Judicial Relief